CA2134335A1 - Novel methods and materials for pest management - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject invention pertains to materials and methods useful for management of certain pests. The invention is particu-larly well suited for the control of social insect pests and, particularly, termites. The invention concerns unique toxicant-contain-ing matrices as well as apparatuses for monitoring pest activity and presenting a toxicant. The invention is useful as part of an Integrated Pest Management Program and can greatly reduce the introduction of harmful chemicals into the environment.

Description

WO 93/23998 _ PCr/US93/05004 DESCRIPTIO~I

NOVl~L M~THODS AND MAl~IAIS FOR PEST MANAGl~MENT

S Cross-Reference to a Related A~ n This is a c-...~ in-part of co-pending A~ Serial No. 07/975,317, filed 12, 1992, which is a c~ inpart of co-pending Appl;~ Serial No.
07/891,896, filed June 1, 1992.

Ba~,L~.,O. J of the I~_.. lion S bt~ r- ~~ ~ termites most often enter sl...~ lur.,s from the i,~.,,~ g soil to foed on wood, or other r~P~ material, of the sL~u~,lulG and its contents. If unchecked, termites can cauAe ~ damage. As a result, efforts to erGct physical or chemical barriers to prevent the; -e of termites into a sl., c or to e~ the termites after they have invaded a ~ lu.e have proven a; ~ expense to the public (Su, N.Y., J.H. Schef~ahn [1990ISo~r ~;-' 17(1):77-94). The cost to control termites in the United States exce_ds one billion dollars annually (M~ ;n J.K, S.C Jones, R.H. Beal [19871 The T.~ l Research ~roup on Wood P~ ,aLion Document No. IRG/WP/1323).
S~: termites co~~ an ~L~ivc foraging gallery beneath the soil surface.
A single colony may . ontain several million termites wrth foraging le.liluly ~ ;.. g up to 300 feet (Su, N.Y., R.H. S~ -ffrahn [198gl Sori~ ' 'LAl 14(2) 353-359). Since sub. - termites are a cryptic creature, their pr~e..ce is not normally known until after some damage, foraging tubes, or live termites such as s . n~PrA~ are found. Some ~ b~ n; nP ,n termites are known to forage beneath an object on the soil surface (FttP~ nk G., J~ Fl~ k~.-k W.G. Whitford 11980 Enviro~ F~zt~ oL 9:645 648).
Currently, there are two basic a~ ,acll~ for the control of ~ f....ilf~
p.~ _ control and remedial control. In some of the United States, it is m '-tOly that the soil 1~ the _ of newly ccr~t~ buildings be pre-treated with a ppct~ p~-~calso referred to herein as t~ P) to prevent termite i~f~ -lin~ r~li~idc is typicallysprayed over and into the soil prior to eo~l~u~lio~ This pre~ - .. _lion treatment plu]~ .s a hn.;,n~
barrier beneath the b~ in~. Because of the lack of ~ - between p. -~ e al,pli~alol and ~ o~l- _ ~ workers, the barrier often loses itc; - ~in--ity during the co~h ~ iolL Mon,ovel, the ~ ly available soil t -. il;.~:,l. e tend to lose their hinln~ l activity after five or more years to the extent that the treated soil is no longer effective against termite invasion. l~bli~hf d termite colonies in the soil may then invade the ~ ule if ~ ^~i~l is not appliedbeneath and around the ~

213433~
- WO 93/23g98 ; ~ ' t ` '~ ' ' ' PCI/US93/05004 When a house or other building is infested by ' ~ telmites, efforts are made to create a r~~ n--c barrier beneath the building in the soil where the ! ' termites are p,o..ded access to the ~ ling, A . method of creating this barrier is to ihlLIu-lu~
e around a building r ,~ by ;- jf~ I ;nn mto soil underlying con~ l~,te lo ' ~ s, ~ the soil :~UII~Ull~iillg the building perimeter, or a con~ of both. This type of post-con~llu~lio treatment is labor-iut~,...,;~_ and may not a1~ ly produce a c-~ I;..- o--~
barrier (~l k~ , A ~L, B.L Bret [1991l Pest Con~ol 59(8):48, 52, 54, 56; Frishman, A M., A.
St. Cyr [19883 Pest Control Te~ ", 16(4) 33, 34, 36).
Other remedial treatments include spot L~ such as dusting or i~J~ g ti ~ A- ~ within the walls of the b~ ing, Robert Verkerk has d~ arsenic trio~ide dust using termite lures (Verkerk, R [1990l Build~g Out Tenni~es, Pluto Press Australia T .imitP~, P.O. -Bo~ 199, T .; nh - . 11, NSW 2040). Verkerk ~ the use of stakes or blocks of termite ~ ,le timber to lure termites after the stakes or blocks have been placed near a known termite pl~'' Once tennite activity is ob~se.~,~, arseruc trio~ide is injectPAL
Alt~ , a portion of the termites may be dusted with arsenic tri~ide.
Most spot 1.~ are done to stop e~isting termite infr---- - at a pa~ ,UI~ arP,a in a ~IIU~,lUl'~; but g 'ly affect only a small portion of the s : termite po~ 15.ti(~n, ie., those termites which come into direct contact with the p.~ Besause of the ~t~,~siv~
foraging po~ and ~ territory of ,ubt~ termite c-' ~- ~ the vast j~
of the termite po~. is not affected by such spot 1 United States Patent No. 3,940,875 ~PcAr~Pc a method, however . -tirql for g termite poison in the soil in an attempt to extend the life of the ba-rrier type II~L. _n~
such that the pl~cen~ of termites is ri~ 'IPA by the releasc of an odor when the termites feed on the poison. The '875 patent also 1~ c. ;1.f c a termite-edible . which gives off an odor when eaten by a termite. In addition to the '875 patent and the Verkerk article l~ f~ l - - d above, other ~uI,li~lio~. describe the use of termite-edible . -~.;A1C as .. i~n~-- --t~ of schemes to sontrol tf~rlltit~'C For ~gmplP, T E~ patent Al~pli.A~inn Nos. 61-198392 and 63-151033 describe wooden vessels sperifirqlly ~P-cigred to "attract" termites as part of a --n-;~...;..g ~lucedule. The 61-198382 apl~ 1ir ~ ;I-fC a vessel, p.~f~,.~l~ made from pine or cedar, used in an attempt to attract tennites. The 63-151033 appl;-~ . also uses a wood ~ to entice tf~rmitPC In the 63-151033 applil - I ;n~ the telmites are further exposed to a toxicant which is then ~ dbl~ carried back to the nest in hopes of killing the queen via llup~ s~ic or food ,. N either J~ e apl)l;- -~ ;. .\ provides any data establi..hil.g that the ~ il.e~ process actually has any impact on termite populAtinnc Furthermore, there is no - that it is possible to "attract" termites at all. These methods nave further ~JOl~ r.. l~tge-c For , '~, the wooden in~lu~Aing body wi'll be S~E ~ to fungal decay before termite attack, Pcperiqlly in n~ ed soil. Thus, frequent r~l~r~ ~ ~ l of the ir~luAing body is needed during ~wo93/23g9821~ 35 PCI/US93/05004 the mo~ period. Fbrther, damage to the l~ body c. n result in the pA'~ AI i~r of the t~ e into the ground. This is not ~.~ lly -r One termite control method comprises placing a highly toxic ~gtRIiql~ such as an arsenic-dust, at a site of ~ - in the hope that this will directly control an effective number of termites at the site and also other termiteA back in the colony. II~ .. , this method relies on ~u~ g toxic dust into a termite tunnel and f~ g lCIa~ large ~L~nl;l;-A of dust.
Fl ~- 1' schemes of pipes to convey liquid t~ under and ;,wlu_ 'in~ _'' 'ing~
have alsû been ~lu~03ed for termite controL It has been ~ d that these liquwd i :tlriAf~
1û rnay be ~ -f -~-~ into the soil ~ lin~ and below the building through these pipes to pr~vide a ~ ~ barrier to the - of termites. This method requires a large quantity of t ----:~;- :A~s in order to saturate the soil ;~Wl~UllJih,~ thebuilding.
U.S. Patent No. 5,027,546 df -- il.r~ a system ' - I for use on above ground termites, i.e., drywood termites, which controLc termites by freezing with liquid nihù~,cn. Although the liquid nitrogen is ~ --f --I ;~lly non-tosic in that no ta~ic residues persist, it is h~u; to use and the method is a spot treatment and will not affect the ~jolily of t~mitf ~ U.S. Patent No.
4,043,073 ~f~Thf~ a method which attempts to circumvent the problem of l~ Od ~I.p~ I if n of pf ctir Ae~ The ~ fC~ method f by "- - .l.,..l_l ;--E" the ;- P.f~ I ;- Af" thus making it more p~ l The overt use of p~,l ;- :-lf ~ and their p- - - ~ -- e in the ~ -- are not f- -- f~ll;f~ by this system. Another ~lû~osed system which fails to alleviate the problem of ing ;I .~f~" I ;- Ae directly into the soil is U.S. Patent No. 3,624,953. This method employs a l ~,De~vuil of ;. cP~ l f wherein the vapors of the i- c~ l ;- Ar are pf ... ;l l eA to 1) ., P~.te the soil ~ulluull.lh.g the 1~ "VO~U Thus, ~,A~O ,wc of the environmentwith to~ic - - is not avoided by using th~c method.
Ta~icants which have lesc e.. ,."~ f ~ .l effect and which show activity against termitec are known (Su, N.Y., M. Tamashiro, M. Haverty 119871 J. Econ. F~tf m~l. 80:1-4; Su, N.Y., RH.
S -~hn [1988] Florida Entomologist 71~1):73-78; Su, N.Y., RH. SrhP.ffr~hn [1989] J. Eco~L
F~romo~ 82(4):1125-1129, Su, N.Y., RH. SrhP-ffr~hn [1990] Soci. 71 17(2):313-328; Su, N.Y.
[1991] ~ ~ L 19(1):211-220, Su, N.Y., RH. S~hPff~hn [1991] J. Econ~ Ft~mo~ 84(1):170-175;
Jones, S. [19843 J. ECO~L F~t~r~l 77:1086 1091; Paton, R, LR Miller [1980] "Control of .5 Froggatt (T~U~Jt~ mitidae) with Mire~ Baits," Au~h~
Forest~esearch 10:249-258; M II~ ...y, W.E, U.S. Patent No. 4,626,528; ~Pnri-~ C~, U.S. Patent No. 5,151,443). However, none of t_e~ce ~ have p~ ;o~l~ been used in ~u ju..~ lion with a method which erl;. - lly and ~ , deliverc t_e toxicant to a target pe_t.
~l~ctrali~n Patent No. 1,597,293 (the ~293 patent) and a ~ll~5~n~ g Great Britain Patent, No. 1,561,901, describe a met_od wich involves mixing ;A~ e with a food matrix co---~ ;--g c~ e and a binding agent. The method AfY~ in the '293 patent relies on the -213~3~5 ~ - ~
WO93/23998 ~ t ' PCI/US93/05004 termite i--g ~ the ~ P, along with the rnatri~c, then .-,~ -g to the colony to ~L~u l.,_e the i..~e~ F to other terrnites through the natural procesD of llo~-'lAric (food ~
between termites). However, the ~293 patent ~ ~. . il.. c usage-c only when termites are Icnown to be present and, ru.Ih~l...ore, the dF`~ ed method fAils to ensure that the termites will initially find the matrix and relies on those termites finding the matrix to transfer D'-lri' i' -'1 Am~ntC of the i- ~F~ ~ IC to the colony solely by trophqllqriC Like the ~ ~ - patent Appl;. ~ No. 63-151033~ the method of the ~293 patent requires that the matri~ i more a~ to the termites than Dl.Ul~ '- g materials. The method d~ - il.~ in the ~293 patent relie_ on the moistur~ in the matrix (b ,~ ly retained by the binding agent, agar) to attract t~ tP-A The df-~ .e~l method, therefore, i r 1~ for termite species that are ~ ted to l,l~,.,thfe (or those u~der "water stress"). Moreover, the ~293 method fails to assure that the moisture wiU remain in the baitD when applied in the field awaiting terrnite arrivaL This is. an unrealictic r~..,.~ for a p~ , because even a moi-ctened DC~ ;g..r matri~c will ~ - within a few days when placed in a dly soiL
It should be noted that ~ - other than water for termiteD have been ih.. _ g For ~ l'e, the extract from brown-rot fungi rh~;~-qlly 1l I the trail-following pheromones of termites. Natural pheromones, however, are species- and even ~lo ~ sp~Prifir A pheromone t. at is "attractive" to one species or colony of telmites may repel termites of other species or cc'- It is of uncertain value, cf~.r~, to i.lcvl~vl,Sle pheromone rn~mics (such as the brown-rot fungi extract) in a bait, ,~e~ if a bait is to be u; ed agairlst a wide range of rmite species.
It should also be noted that l..p~ -lls~C is an unf~.~i~l means of delivering the ;.. .~ 1 ;~ idc to the colony because it assumes that ~li~_ anzymes and other ~f$qhnlir plof~s do not affect the acti~e ih~ nL IIo.._._., once the ;,~I:F,~.I;, df' iS ingested by the termi~e, the ;.. ~I; 'le may be 1~ ' ~1 inactive by the d;~Li._ process of the t~'-~;~f~ Moreover, supl)r~io of a termite pop~ l;m~ requires that a ! I I number of termites in the colony are disabled before their damage p 1 is ~ ' Relying only on trophqllq-~nc to transfer the toxic. nt does not ensure that a~q~ qf~ numbers of termites will be controlled.
Mn.l;l;. ~ c to the method d- -- ;l-c~ in the '293 patent may not incre se the bait intake of tf~T nitf c For; , 1 e, the '293 method requires that the matri~c mi~ture be applied at a known ;.-f~ site such as a termite mound or tree trunk. This method, ~,fulc, can be used only as a remedial treatment. The '293 method cannot be used unless activity of termites is clete~teA
- The '293 patent also plupOSfS that a large quantity of to~icant bait be placed at random lnf~lin.~
as a ~ ._u~li~_ measure. However, without ~/lUVi~iihg a plU~lU~C for deterting t~ t~A, the majority of this bait may d~ lf~ or degrade due to fungal grow~h and become nnpqlqtqhle to t~r nit~A Moreover, an - ~ - ily large quantity of to~icant is applied in the ~ ,ilo~ent.

~ ?, ' . ~ _ ~1~4~3~ -W0 93/23998 PCI/US93/0~004 It is therefore highly desirable to more e~ control termites or other insects in a manner which assures that the termites or other insects of interest are e~posed to the to~icant, which . i..;,; c environmental harm by reducing the amount of i..!;:F~ e ?Jsed, and which affects ~ J ~ ' ~ of termites in a colony.

Brief Summary of the I~ lion The ~._,.lion ~ Fd and claimed herein relates to a method for ~ ullh.
~ cr 1 --' of pe_ts. The iu~ _ is most ~ 1~Lge ~ ly used for controlling the population of social insects which com-----ni~ ~t~ through chemical signals. SpeAifiA~lly exemplified herein are methods and devices for the control of insects of the order T~ P' P~ " t--l~itF'C
One pr~,f~llcd method of the subject il.~_nti~ is most easily thought of as comprising two steps. Tnese two steps can be repeated to form a .J~ t~ process or the two steps can be ~.~F' ~ ly. One step involves ~ g and/or ~ l~t ~ g target pests by a means which does not employ the use of any pF_li- -1F This step functions to detect the P1~-- of pests. In ~ ' iti~, this mo~ g step can also ~ --in~ as a means to capture the pest without causing the pest Ih~ t~ntiAl harm or di~lUl of . olony activity. In the . ~ ;ment of the i.,~e wherein pests are ~ d, the ~pl-u~,d pcst is still alive and, pl~,f~.dbl~, capable of moving, eating, and pluduL~g chemical signals which can attract fellow pests. This step of the process,whereinthepestsaredetPrt-PA. or~)~Ul~dishe.~ aft~,. referredtoasthe". ~ ;~-,.;ug"
step.
The other step of the prooess involves controlling a poplllAtinn of pests once they have been detPrtAA The pests may have been ~letP~AtpA~ for; , 'e, as a result of the mn =;l~ \g step.
In the control step of the process, the pests are . ontrolled as a result of in~e.~ting or otherwise cnntA~Ating a tn~AAnt The subject i~ ion has been liscu._.cd to be highly effective in controlling even ~LiC.. Iel~ large termite Ar~nniPc AdvArt~ , the control method utilizes onlyverysmall: - _ of t~lAAnt and this toxicant is applied in a strictly defined and controlled manner to minimize ~u~_~e of the environment to 1~ .t~ The use of toxicant is r~ ; \Fd in terms of the very. limited quantity and co.. ,, of the tnYiA~nt~ and in terms of the period during which the toxicant is used. Once control is AttAinAA the mo ;1~ step can continue.
These steps can also be r ~ Sil lt~
Specific carriers of ~ .h, such as bait or tracking po vder, are aspects of the subiect - ~u~C~IiOIL These carriers are referred to herein as matrices. Also dP ~ ;1.. ~ are ;.p~. - . ,.1. .~ c for pr~sc.lt.il.g the toxicant-co IA;~ .g matriA- to the target pest.
In a prcf~ n Pnt of the ~,~,.lioll, the control step of the process can utilize pcsts which have been ~Lul~d in the n~o--;ln- ;~lg step. SpeAMA~lly, these ~ Ul~d pests can be used to attract or recruit other pests to the toAicant ~ g rnatrnc, herein referred to as "self-recruitment," and, in some ;~ to deliver toxicant to a nest or . olony of the pests. The ~13~33S
WO 93/23998 ~ i _ PCr/US93/05004 ;. . .., ,~

uruque use of ~a~JIlU~i pests to ake the toxin matmx more allla~ livc to r ~ t~-~ is referred to herein as "self-recruitment." As d~-c~ ~ herein, a càplulcd pest can be induced to che~v or move through a toxicant~o~ g matrix before ~ ling to the nest. In a p,~f.,,,cd ' ~ of the subject .,,~. the toq~icant is le~~ ), slon- z_li..g so the pest can travel S through the colony t~ u~y before dying. Because the termite leaves the to~cicant~
matrix before dying, this method prevents the tainting of the carrier and viciruty of the matri~c with dead or dying tennit~-~ In the course of l-..~_l~g within the nest, the pest can leave a ch~mirql trail dh~li~g or lC ,lUiLil~g other of the target pests to the toxicant~ ~ g matriL Also, the ~ a~JIul~ d pests can leave rh~mir-q-l signals in the toxicAnt- -ing matrix itself, ~ ;"
the ~1- A;~ iIy of the i~od. Because these h~ ---;- ~1 markers are species- and even colony-specific, these chemicals are highly r~ for self-l~uiL~_~ of nestmates to the toxicant-g matrL~ Also, the pcst may deliver toxicant tO the nest, for ~ ~e, via trop'~or rqnnil~ m~ where the ta~icant can ~11 other - ~mqt~ The effect of this method is to make the toxicant~n~ g mat~x much more ~lUIa~,li. _ tO the termites. This . can result from the highly specific trail p~ ul.,on~s which direct other - - ~ - to the toxicant~ ~lu;~ e matrix and, more i~)ul~lly, the deposit in the to~icant~-..a~ .;..e matrix of f~g ~ .g r~ - which can be highly specific for the palLi~l termite colony which is to be The ~_I.Lion also relates to materials used in c. rrying out the novel methods. One critical element of the subject ~ is the toxic~.,.~ls.;.. ;.~g matrix which can comprise a toxicant and a binder such as M~f~ sr~ 9, agar, other r~ Qi~ lc other mqt~.riqlc which are non-repellant to the target pest, or a c~ n of two or more of these ~ F
P.- f~l~.bly, the t~icant is slu.. a~ting, If a roll~ material is used, that material may consist of wood palLi,1~. The matrix can further co~ e c-""1' -~ which stabilize or regulate the matri~ u~ For ~mrl~ a 1 - such as a h~u~wl ~ , can be added to regulate the moisture content of the matrL~L
Certain novel ~ l .- C are also used aew.di.lg to the subject il~ nliùm. Sperifi~lly se~d are ap~ nl~-.-A for monitoring and controlling pu~- - - of insects, pal~llyt~rmitr-c For e~ample, one such a~palal~s for ,..~..;1.~.;..~ the presence of termites simply ~... l,.;.~.c a food source as a ~ ;--g device which can be S~ y placed at sites~uu~lig a ~ll u~,lult;~ or at an ~ t . i. - ll --- i l lr)~tir)n These mo ;l5,- ;--g devices are L~il~le to the pest .--~n~ O~C~a101 or p~ ~ly owner so that they can be p~.ri~ i~lly ~O_ilu~
for evidence of the ~.~n~ of t~rmitr-c Other app~ . .. c, such as elc~ - devices, can be --l~w~ulaled in the mu--il--. ;-.g devices to alert the home~..,..,l or pest control ûp~,.alul to the 3~ of ff-.rmitr.c Where ground or soil :~ulluu~d5 a ~ u~Lure to be uonilorcd for tl~.rTnitl~.c, the mf~ .;..g device can be placed in the soil near the sLIu~,Lule or area to be l,.o~
Where no soil is around a ~IlL_lwe or when foraging galleries are detected above ground, the ~3l1335 WO 93~23998 PCI`/US93/05004 ~ ' ' g device or toxicant~ g matri~ can be placed above ground. ~nt~ge~~ the mc - - ring device can be o~h~,~led so that pests can be rcl~ v~d easily and without s~
harm resulting to the pest, thereby allowing the pest to be used to recIuit other nestmates to the rnatrix.
S Another App~ usefill according to the subject .. _miol. comprises a housing which L s~e- ;fi~ lly designed to enclose either a m~ device or to~icant-~ ~9ining matrix. This housing is useful for plut~li~g the mo~ g device and/or to~icant~n lAi~ e matrix from the m~nt The mo. ,Ichmg device or matrix can be enclosed within the housing in such a manner so they c_n be removed with minimal ~Lr~~ to the foraging termites. This housing is pl~f~.~.bly made from a durable, non-b ode~ hle -1 The present ~e pl.~.;l~ an e.~ .. r I lly safe termite control system requiring no complex --~ ' -~y. The ",. ntjl~n pl.~.;d~ ~I,p~ c.-c and ~ for the - ring of, and delivery of a taxicant to, a target pest wherein the al p~ may be easily and safely serviced by pl~ y owners as well as professional pest management ~r~rlrPr.c A~ .. -l -~,~.- .1~, the ,1;~ ed materials and ~ruc~l~c minimize the risk of eA~o ,ul~ to per on_ 1 -~ and increase toixicant intake by tf~rrnitP-c The methods of the subject - can ~lrsctirqlly reduce pF ~I ;- i 1~ use in the urban environment. Mol~ . r, this i..~ _ can be an important part of an T..t~ ed Pest Management (IPM) ap~.ua~L The first phase of the IPM can be designed to- termite activity. No p-~ 1r, need be used until termite activity is ~det~PrtpA When activity is ~etP~PA~ the second p~e of the IPM can be: .', d wherein only a sm. ll quantity of p~ lr. is used to control the entire colony pop lqtj~- Once control is a~ d, the ~ -O ~ e step can be repeated, a can the control ste~p, if - - y, thu plu.iJi-lg i~-lPfinit~ ~lut~lion to the ~ or A,~ I---al site.
A~c ~P~. .- ;l~A more fully herein, there are a variety of _ - nAc and a~ ~1 ..l . c which can be utilized to practice the method of the subject il.~. The preu_e m~-thrl~lc and ~pp ~-5,l ---- c which would be optimal for a particular target pe t and ~ ....- --191 setting would be a~,al.,..
to a person skilled in this art u_ing the teachings ~lu.;ded herein.
The d~. li~J~i- ~ and t~-qrhin~.s which follow primarily focus on the control of termites.
Specific m~t~ C and aMArqt-~c~c for the control of termites are ~lu.;ded, but ~, - - of the e _:- - and app~ A and their ~p~ y to pests other than termites would be readily ~u~l and u ed by a person sldlled in this art.

13rief D~ of the Drawin~
Figure_ l~-ld ~ ctr.qte one embodiment of the .~._ wherein a single station housing is used to hou e a .. ~ iAe device and then a to~icant delivery tube. Sperifir-q-lly~ Figure la show_ ~ ' 9 ~ of the lg device into a station pre-pc - d in the soil and placement of a cover over the station; Figure lb show termite foraging tunnels which lead to the station and .

W093~23998 ^ ~ = PCI`/US93/05004 the ln, ~ g d vice; Figure lc shows removal of the -itnnng device and replacement with a to~icant delivery tube within the same ~i- and Figure ld shows that the termites captured in the g device are placed into the rccl uit.,.~' ~l~b~ of the toxicant delivery tube to recruit other termites to the tr~i~nt Figore 2a shows a top view of a ~ e device and a station housing.
Figore 2b shows a side view of a m~ tnnng device and a station Figore 3 shows a bait tube with l~t~, chamber.
Figore 4 shows a cn-t- station housing i g nn~ blocks placed in soil nt to a ~ e ~ ' tinn A thin strip of meul foil is ' E~'' d in the ~
block~ When the ~ g blocl~s are ,~ ~ ' together to :~U11~ ' the ~ U1C~ a r-~ , ~ circuit is formed. Severe ;~ by termites in the ~ -g bloclc results in the blcdl~il,g of the circuit, which can be easily ~3PtP~t~l by an ele - dev ce.
Flgores 5~-5c show one e~ample of an termite : ~', i,~.--;. ---~ delivery sution. Figures Sa and Sb show a section cut out for ç - against a wall haYing a -' - g Figure Sc shows an ~ p~ d view of the bo~, to~icant matri~c, and lid as ap~.u~ t~
against a walL
Figure 6a shows one esample of a } ri7nnt~l ring device and sution.
Flgure Cb shows an esample of the ~ g device of a ~ i - ' ~ sution being replaced oy a to~icant deliYery umit.
Flgore~ 7a-7d show one e~ample of the use of a 1- ' m~ itnri~ device and tosicsllt delively system.

Detailed D~ U~U1G of the I~ ion The subject h~ ion peruins to novel methods and ~ c for controlling ~-r ' of pests. The present il~ - is based on the concept of IJl'U.;~.Ii.. g a suitable tosicant in a matri~ which is non-l~ ,ll~l to the species of pGSt to be controllecl. In a ~.~f~,.l2d enlh~1;. l, the ill~. n~ further "'---l" ;~ e a self-l~luili..g method of bringing ~ ' t' ~' pests to the tosicant. As ~ d in detail herein, the self-l~ u;~g aspect of the subjectis a vely unique and effec~ve means of making a i ; g matri~ much more al~to the pGSts from a specific colony which is to be r^.l;~ tr~l Thus, a very . ~l aspect of the ~._..lion is a means for making a tosicant more attractive to pests, pal~lalh, pests ~om a specific nest or colony.
The ~f--~ ~ method is most readily a~ '~ to insects which live in colonie~e and which communicate by _ ~i-^^1 signals such as, for; .'~, pheromones. Ph~,.u...u ~ are naturally ~ chemotactic cc ~ u~ that termites and other insects are known to use as c~ ;n~ signals. The df ~ e~ method can be used, for; . 'e~ to capture and contrûl insecls of the order Teopt~, and is p~li,ulall~ useful for controlling po~ ~ of ~ t~ . ",,.F.A,~

~UB~ ITE SHEET

- r ~
~ WO 93/23998 ~ ~ ~ 4 ~ 3 ~ Pcr/usg3/o5004 g telmites. It would be readily ap~c~l to persons of ordinary sl~ll in the art that the method and ~p~ are ~ to a variety of pest species. F~l, of te~mite species which can be co -llullcl by use of the ~ d methûd include Coptotemtesfonnosaruls, ~ ~itl~ ,.~ flavipes, R ~ ~, R ..." R tib~s, and II.~, ".~ aureus, as well as termite species of the S families (and pest genera) r ~- ~tote~m~tidae (~ ~ species), ~ ^rmididae (Al~ " 7r ~ species), Rhinotermitidae (C ~ ~.- ...~, II.h,~..~, R~ s, P~_ . t .. ~, P~ S~ S~' .. _, species), Tt~ t~,., ;1;.1 ~
( '5~ ,.~" Ne.~..._" GJr: ".~, r~ ".~, ~r~ ' .., M~, ".~ species), S~ '- e, and T~ c (p~ f~ "~ f, r~
N; ~ ,.. - Tcnnes, Ar.~ - Çlo5; .. _0, M~,.JCt, . species), T~ P
(r'-' ~ , Zo~.~ , species), and other pest species of termites. For ~)po_s of brevity, the emphasis herein is directed to s ~ - -- termites.
A ~-lef~,.,~l embodiment of the ~.. ~ - features two rer ~ '~ steps: (1) I~-r ' ~

; e (~ ~ referred to as mon toring), and (2) delivery of a to~icant to a pest through the use of a tn-ifqnt ~ t--;ning matri~ The m Qg step of the process comprises ~ ;- E a y~ ku location to detect any termite activity. This step may further comprise ~ e termites. The tmOicant delivery step invoh~es Y~-;~ a slo.. 0 hng to~icant in a matri~ which is eaten or otherwise ~ : i by the termites. The ,.lu .. . -ting ta~icant allf ws temlites to return to and move through their colony t~..ilO.~ before dying. Nestmates then foll w the trail back to the tn~r-qn~ As 11 _ ;I.eA more fully herein, the two principal steps of the subjert invention can be ~ ~t~ as part of a pest management program wherein the l~o involves the in~tial step of .--- ;~ for pest activity rullo.. ~ ~ by control if pest activity is ol~.~ Once control is achieved, - inP can be ~ -~ The steps may also be perfonmed I - '~. Also, an initial - itnrinp step may not be - ~ if termite activity has already been AetP~PA In a ~.. ,f~ l embodiment, a single station 1- ~, as Ae~ A

herein, is used for both m ~r~ng and sontroL This station housiQg is a uni~ue containment device which is made of a durable, non-b ~o, ~'~ material which permits long t g and ,~;~t~ cycles of g and controL
Fqrh of the two above-referenoed steps is df--- il-~ in more detail be~ow. Also ~ - - -~d below in greater detail is the self-res ruitment aspect of the tf~icant delively step. Also ~ e;l in greater detail below are specific ~p~ os useful ~ ~g to the subject i,.~. -~ ~U.. ;1,~. ;..~. The primaIy objective of the monitoring step is to detect the y~

of s terrnites and not to attract termites from other l- - ~ ~ If termites are present, this step l~lu.;dcs an o~po l~l~ to collect them. If termites are ~u11~ ~A, these termites can then be used for /~, u~ g other - - to a toxicant - di-~g to the toxicant delivery step of the ~_~.LiOlL Therefore, it is p~f~ l that termites be cn11~Prt~<l in a manner which does not a~. -1~ affect the termite's viabili~. The terms "without ~ff ~;--g viability" and "remain WO 93/23998 2 1 3 ~ 3 3 ~ 1 A PCI~/ US 93 ~

- viable" mean that the C~yl~d termite i_ ._lali~_h~ P-A and that it is able to for. ge and, ~n,f~.u~l~, ha~ rri~ mobility to return to the nest.
Certain devic_s can be used to monitor for termite activity. These devices are d~ ,A
in greater det. il below. The m~ itnti~ devices can be placed in, on, or above the ground. These device_ may be placed ~ or illt~ ~ to ~ul~u~d ;~LI I ~ ~ to be -,~ The Tnqtl~riqlc used for the g device should not repel or deter i Pl~,f~,.~l~, these ...,~..;~lc should have ~--rti~ h-. Iulal integrity to e~ist in variable e~ (high humidity, aridity) for a period ~--rr;- :- --~ for termites to locate and acc_ss the monit~ nng devices.
The - 7 device should be able to ~ foraging actilrity by a large number of termites so the device is not totally consumed within a ~ time interval between r ' ' ~~-In a ~.~,f~.l~l en~ho-l;- AI of the -- ~ step, an article c.,n be both used to detect and capture the t. rget termites. The article is, thus, the "-~~ lg device," or " g article." The device e ylu~ d in this g step yn r ~1~ aUows the capture of termites with a minimum amount of harm to the t~rr~itf~.c The devic~ can be of any material which is S r' - ~~ to termite ;.,f =~ , the material comprises C~ nCP~
One pl~,f~ A embodiment of the .--n ;t'-- --g step utilizes an outer housing which is from but ;~Ull~ the g device. The outer housing is also referred to herein as the station I - n~ In a yf_f~,~l~ embodiment, the station housing can have a plulalil~ of entry points which allow termites access to the ;~-~ ing device. These entry points must be large enough to allow entry of the target pe5t and can be much larger. The station housing can further c ~ - a r~ l~fui~d tip at one end to r~ into the ground. The station housing may filrther comprise, at the end o~ o~ile the l_;llrul~;d tip, a cover. The cover is A- ~ ~ more fully below. The station housing for ~ h in the soil or above ground ~' - is also AP ~. il.~l below.
When a station housing is used, the same station housing can be used for both the itnring step and the toxicant delivery step. For e~ample, once termites are obs d in the ...----;I-~-;..g step, the --~ '-";'` device (. _- toxicant) can be removed from the station housing and ~ oed with a toxicant- - ., ~atriL One ~ d~ ~ g to the use of the station - housing is that the tennite foraging tunnels will not be greatly di~ ' by removal of the nln--:~ ~- ;ag device if the station housing remains in place. Thus, when the ~ g device is replaced with a toxicant~-- 1~ matrilc, foraging can commence readily without w-t~,~i._ l~ll~._lWil.g of the foraging tunnels of the termites. Furthermore, once control of the termite PCJr ~ has been ~ehi_ . d using the tmicant~ matrix, the toxicant- g matrix can be readily replaced with a ;tnri~ devioe to resume - ing of the In~tinn Throughout the process, the station housing can remain in place. Thus, the station housing is ~f~ made from a durable, non~ ,!P- material and becomes a critical component of the pest ~ b. -- -l program.

SU8:~ ~ 11 UTE SHEET

~ W093/23998 ~L34335 PCI/US93/05004 -The mo ;I~..;..g device or, ~l.f~,.~l~, the station housing ~ g the - ~ing devioe, can be plsced in the ground or other ~ iale location for a time ~ -rr;- :- --I to sllow termite infestation. The ...~ g device can be placed in the ground directly by being driven into the soil or plsced into a pre~ hole or location of ~--rr~ dimension to sllow the - S devioe to remsin in r~;ti- n Al~ , the ;t ~nn~ device can be placed inside the station housing which is plsced on or in the ground. The - ;~nng device and/or station housing may lie nst on the ground or be plsced upright in a hole.
In one P ho~ ent of the ~ -e step, the g device is ~ ~ i~lly and/or physiq to increase the p~ that the target pest will enter and move within the device. A vsriety of chemical mesns, such as food, moisture, dry rot fungus, and pheromones or their mimics (e g., glycol - , ), and physicsl . ~ such ss shape, size, and testure, csn be used to schieve this objective. One esample of a phy_ical ma ~ - would be a cover placed over the station ~ inp, or over the monitoring devioe if the - ing device is u ed in the ground without the station l~o~lcing Onoe infested by termites-, the . ~. il~.. ;~ g devioe can be gently lc~o~e d from the soil or from the station ~ ~nrin~. As stated above, it is ~ h .~PO..c to utilie a station houcing to ' ' i7r~ r to foraging tunnels. Upon remanal of the monitoring device, a to~icant-containing matri~ can then be placed in the station housing or other location ~
by the monitoring device. In this way, toxicant is not used until the ~ of termites is ~ ~e- ; P~d by the m~ it~n~ step.
In a ~l~f~cd embodiment ~it~, .il.e~1 more fully below, termites c~ ll~tf~ in the ing step are u ed to recruit more termitc to the taqcicant. This is termed "self-. - Therefore,themo~ e devioecanbes~ designedto ~ ~ capture of nonr~itf C Such a device, as ~If~ ed below, may have ~ g sides. After removal from the ground or the station 1- ~, the; ~ sides of the m~ ~ devioe are 3 ~ t.'~l and termite ~ from them. The ~'imf ~ and shape of the ine device are ~-~iL d so that termites foraging in the device can be ~ : d with minimum harm. "Minimum harm"
means that the termites which are ~ remain viable and are capable of foraging and pl. lg ph~ and, pL~ , are able to return to the nest for l~u.~g nestmates. The ~ ed termites are then used to recruit other termites from the colony to, and Ih~ gh, a to~icant ~ matri~ Termites foraging in the m ~1 ing de-vioe can be i ~ Ted to a to~icant delivery de-vice by gently l~ Jv~l g or tapping them from the m~ ;tr~riug de-vice into the to~icant delivery de-vice. The toxicant-delivery device is also referred to herein as a "bait tube."
The toxicant delivery de-vice can c~ e a above the toxicant~...l~ g matri~ into which the termites are placed. This chamber is referred to herein as a l~lUit~ .:, chamber. To e~it the bait tube and station 1- 1, the termites must then tunnel through the toxicant-matri~

SUB- ~ ITE SHEET

213~35 - WO 93~23998 ~ ~ PCI`/US93/05004 B. To~icant deliverv. The n~ of the to~iG~t deliveIy step is to induce as many pests as possible from a colony to contact or eat a ta~icant. The details of the to~ic. nt delhrely step are herein ~ ~ as p_~h~il.g to t~itf~e pal~.ll~l)~. However, as stated above, the method can also apply to other in_ects, f e~qlly those social insects which live in colonies or nests and which commu}licate by chemical signals, ie., pheromones.
The eee~tiql elemellts of a tcant deliveIy system compri~se the p.~ A ~ of an active 4'Ei-~ - (AI) and a suitable carner (matri~) in a manner that induces the target pest to ingest or contact the AL The to~cicant~ --;..g matri~ should be deli. 1 in, on, or above the ground in a manner which -~ --r e of the e~.,..~ t, al~t; ~.., and other non-target organisms to the ta~icant. For e~ample, a suitable matri~ can be a ~ k ---r '~~
~ p~ '- natural or artificial food sour~e. The matri~c does not need to attract pests, but should not repel them. The ~r~ ~ of the matri~ (in a station ~- leing~ etc.) may induce pests to contact the toxicant. The suitable matr~ further can be capable of being formed into a desired shape for placing or paclcing into a station housing.
In a ~l~,fc.~ for a non-rigid matrir, the to~icant-_ ~ Ig matri~ is placed within a casing. This casing is di~ ,nL from the station housing and, in fact, ~ -t~A easy r of the f~t~'.q~ ;ng matrnc into the station housing. Although the ~
containing matri~c and ~ n casing are ~ ~ a~l~ placed into a strtion housillg, the casing can, A'~ nvely, be m~depf sturdy material for placement directly into the soiL Thc casing is n~ because, in a ~l~f~ d embodiment, the tosicant-contai~ing ma~ h. s a very high - n -:. -c content and is -h~ and therefore needs a ca ing tO hold its shape. The casing also helps tO prevent ~ e and it . ; ~ contact with the to~sicant by the handler and ~ " - easy remûval of the tosicant~ ;..;a~ matri~ when the taa~icant delivery step is F~Lh~ ul~;, as d~ ~ more fully below, the c. sing can be designed to include or form a l~uite. . chamber. The casing must permit enuy by the target pest; therefore, the c~ising must either c" ~ e ~ uplu.Le 0~ or be of a material through which the pests che~v or ..~ create an opening. For; . e, thin pG~ ,.iC .--~t. ;-1~ may be used to enclose the to~icant-containing matri~ The to~cicant- g matri~c can be enclosed within the casing somewhat like a sausage within its casing. The use of a polymeric ~qt~nql is pa.L.,.Jl~l~
r ~ g if that material is of a nature such that it prevents or delays f1~i~qtin-~ of the matrix. Other r~qt~nql~ w~ich can be used to encase the ta~icant- ~in~ matri~ include, but are not limited to, ~ o~d and other ~f.ll~ c~. materiais, even paper and wa2c This method for p~- L - ~..g the toncant~o -~ E matri~ has the P h q-~tq~e of creating a "dose-pack" which ~,.~el~ ~u ;.l~ the app.u~,lidt~ amount of tosicant in a manner which . ;--; ~ contact with humans or the e.. ~.,u ~ent.
Suitable matrices can be formable ~IIIIlncP; ' ~in~ materials g, but not limited to, wood particles or wood flour, regrcled paper or c~ ce ethers such as m~ ln~e, 21~33~
W093/23g98 PCr/USg3/0~004 h., ~u~lu~ ,lh~ ln~ and hydro~ybutyhn~ 10~, commerciaLlya. ' ''- underthe tradename of Methocel~ (trademark of the Do~,v ~ i~1 Company). A p.~f~,..cd c-r11~ 1~
c~ ; g matris is sawdust or wood flour which is not fCpell~l to target termite species. For use with termites and other pest species which are ~ ~f ~ to, or reliant on, the presencc of - 5 ~ moisture, the matris can further comprise a humectant for maintaining moisture content.
An ~.u~.~le humectant can have h,~ s _~ c1 - ~ t ; ~ The m ng step and toxicant delivery step could use the same matr~, e~cept that no tosicant is imprcgnated into the matris used for the monitoring step.
The p-~f~ d active m~ should be slu. - ing, lethal at con. I ~ which do not repel target insects, and capable of being combined with the matris as ~ d above. It is _t_ d that pests directly contacting or ingesting the toxicant will not be l~lled ~mmediately but will travel to and/or through their colony to recruit other ncstmates to the tmicant, thereby .~ g in the control of large ~ of colony members. The term "delayed lethal effect"
in the present ~ n means that death does not occur immediately or within a short time such as a few seconds or minutes after ingestion or contact of the active in~ by a termite.
Rather, it is ~.~f.,..ed that the pest die hours or, more ~ days or wecks aftcr encountering the t~i~nt This delayed lethal effect permits the termites to interact with the colony before death occurs, thus ~It g the location of the to~icant delivery system to be comm.--~ t ~ to nestmates within the colony. It is preferable that the comm - be effected by pheromones because these chemical signals are a highly efficient means of communication, often being specific to a particular species or colony. In - ' corrun by ph is r~ .g to the subject il~. by the deposit directly into the ta~icant~- ~-;- e matris of f~g ;~ E pheromones. These I t_ are flG~ nYI by the ~ d pests which are forced to forage through the t~l~t r g matrix before e~iting the to~icant-delivery devioe and/or station housing to return to the c olony. This unique self-recruitment ~JlUl~lUI~ results in a highly efficient process of ~ui~ nestmates to the to~icant matris, P- ;..g their ~u~; to the slu.. -~ing trlYiro tt The active ;~ fl; ~ can comprise ~ t~ insect growth 1,, rs, or i. ,. ' pathogens or their ta~in ~ amples of to~icants include, but are not limited to, borates (boric acid, ~ - r ~ tetrahydrate), mires, s l~t---- ' and relatednu~,.uall~l sulfo^ -. :1f~ ~, hydramethylnon, avermectin, A-9248 (diiodomethyl para-tolyl sulfone), Op~ ;f~, azadirachtin, cyromazine, juvenile ~ - (JHs), jwenile hormone analogs (JHAs), or juvenile hormone mimicries (JHMs) such as - ~p,~ e, - h~.. p. e~ hil~e e, furnesinicacid ethyland alko~ydeli~ .u.~f~,.. (Nylar), ~ , t"
and chitin ~,llh~i;, ;- h;l-;l.-. ~ (CSIs) such as k ~1.. 1 and other acyl ureas, .'~'t ~ o~
(Dimilin), and ~ ~1 control agents which can be used as the "tUAi~t"include, but are not limited to, entor~ f ~o C fungi such as AL.~h~U~ niroF~in~ and Rr _ SUB~ I I I ~JTE SHEET

WO 93/23998 2 1 3 ~ 3 3 5~PCr/US93/05004 kn~7~7' in ~ ~qtn~such asN~ C,"~-y- 7~, insectviruses, I ' 1g bacteria such as Bacil~s ~ '6~ A~wb;~ flm7US~ and Se~raha ~ or the tmin Jlep ~ r dern~ed from B. ~ or other ~ control agents.
In -~ ~nn, other i.~PC can be used as ~ l t~
S Microen~r ' can slow the actn~ity of otherwise fast-acting to~ic. nts.
An example of the ih.~ IosEd herein uses he~umuron, which can be impregnated or inwl~lat~d into the ~Il--lo~, material during the formulation of the - -t - ~ matri~
As A; _ _ ~1 above, a novel feature of one embodiment of thc subje t ~ comprises a "self~ h~g method" to use c~ t~ termites to recruit other nestm. tes to the ta~icant.
- It is widely l~,..... ; -f~i that cer~ain insects utilize chemical signals such as pheromones, which can be ~-~;t~ along a trail by an insect which has located7 for a~ample, a food source.
S ~ tly~ other insects, usually from the s~ne colony, detF~ the chemic~ signal and are thus directed to that food source. Such trail-f ~II.,..mg p~ ~ of some ~ : - termites have been ;~1F ~1 ;riFA '- . ~ - of such natural ~,. h or their analogs is difficult, costly, and MJ1_1. ; the proper -. r- and comr- ~ of these pheromones can be species- and colony sFer fi~ AdMtionally, trail pheromones rnay be Yery ~ . 1 from feeding-E pheromones. Insects are very l -t~-~t to eat their trail pheromones becausc consumption of trail pheromones would remove the mar~ers termites need to locate food sources and - -r ~ ~ Thus, it is likely that the r of trail pheromones, or their analogs, into a to~ica~t may well act to bring termites to a location but may inhibit feeding at that 1-Feeding be~.;ol may be ~i~,_.~;xl by ~lilf~ ..l F ~ which would be ~ t~ tO be specific for p~ pests and p~..ld~ r ' "ng functional synthetic pheromones would be nearly r " '~ for the desired purpose of ..;d_.~l. ' use in ;.~ . g termites and ~ e their feeding.
~ ~ h ~r~ta~,,F S feature of the "self-recruitment" _~ of the subject h.~_ntin - is to utilize a ~lw~,d target pest to produce the species- and; ' 1~ sFe~fir pheromone for r~wli~lg other pests to the to~icant and ;--;~ g feeding behaYior. This method make~ the to~icant highly ~ ._ compared to other known methods and 1.~ The method is p~~ well suited for a~jaLil.g a great nwnber of pests from a single colony to a to~icant.
In -- d ~ with the self~ ac' t, termites ~ F~ in the ~ O~ e phase are placed in the tcmcant~el~ve~y device with tcmcant~ ~ g matm~ and must chew or move through the to~cant~nt~ini~ matri~ before l~ .-i..g to their nest. In this manner, the termite ingests or contacts the to~icant and leaves ~y~ liale comm~ i.. signals throughout the to~cant~ -i........ i.. g matri~, which ~ other ~F~ to locate the toq~icant~ -;--g matr~ and in~tiate feeding actmty.

SUE~ ~ I I UTE SHEET

2~3~335 ` `-WO 93/23998 PCI`/US93J05004 In one embodiment of the self-l~ui~ g sy.,tem, termitws in the m~ tnnng devices are gently tapped into an empty ~ (the lC~uit~ 1~.) sltuated at the top of the tosicant-containing matri~c (Figure 3). This chamber may be, for e~ample, about 3.0 cm in ~ r and about 2.0 cm deep. Smaller or much larger ~ could aLo be used. The open end is then S y.~ closed or capped. Small holes can be p.u.;ded to allow air flow for termites into the it~ - chamber. These termites must then enter the to~icant ~ -e matri~ in order to exit the tn~rP-~t ~lPhvery device and station 1- Q;n~ Holes from the l~it~ ~- chamber into the matri~ can be s ~PF~iP~ to Ig this process. The termites then tunnel through the t- ~irgr-- ining matris before le~ -;--g to their g;lllP~riPQ~ thereby leaving species- or colony ~perifir pheromones in the t.-~ir~t~t s t-ining matri~ The e~iting process may be encouraged by holes leading out of the matn~ This arrangement forces termites to move through the to~icant-containing matris and thus leave favorable pheromones in the matris and/or station housing to recruit nestmates into the toxicant ~ 1A;~ 5 matri~ As ~ Pd above, the self-~g pl~dOlC a h ~--~ Iy uses nestmates to leave the species- and colony Sp~i~r pheromones to recn~t others from the same colony. This is much preferable to the ose of synthetic pheromones which can fail because of their lack of s~t~ or because of their ti~tin- of trailing rather than feeding ~ - ~ ;or. The deposit of spe~fic ~ in the tasicant-containing matns by the ~t~l termites thus aids in l~tmg other nestmates to the tn irsrt c~ oinin~ matris, whereupon they forage, are e~posed to tn-ir-o-nt and deposit more pheromone, thus creating a cyclical, self-l~1ing termite control method.
G A~ r ~ d at each step of the method of the subject invention are novel ~l~P ~ - As dr ~ d above, one method for the it.~nng step employs a novel, s-r article placed into the ground (or into a housing) for m~ tori~ and ~ g termiteslig : to an area The termites are ~ul~d in such a way so that they remain viable and can be easily transferred to the t~icant delivery de~ioe used in the to~icant delivery step.
The monitoring devioe used in the m~ r~lulci step can be ~ ed of at least two ~.-t~ E, s e~ ~ pieces which can be bound tcg The two-piece construction allows for easy rnll~ -- of termites within the device. For ~ , a wooden stake can be ~-- of two or more r IE pieces which are bound together. The binding which holds together the pieces can be fle~ible metal bands, an ~ '' _ tapG or the IjlCG As shown in Figure 2, the r -in~ pieces can be c--- ~ ~ within a bracket de~ioe comprised of '~ n7n ~ bands which are ,t~ ~ ~I by l....U~ su~u.ts which form a bracket and which further has a handle at one end to l~ e removal of the monitoring de~ice from the ground even when badly damaged by the termites.
Al~e.. a~ " for .- ~r~ -g above-ground, an ~ - which houses a food source such as t, or a ~ .n~l;r;f~ nn~r device, can be placed on or: - -' to (or inside) a tree SUB~ I 11 JTE SHE~T

WO 93/~3998 2 1 3 ~ 3 3 S ~ ~ 16 PCI`/US93/05004 or the wall of a S~ 1G. The abov~ground ....~ ..;..g device is also easily ~"r~ lP. for periodic ~ .; e and capture of pests for use in the to~icant delivery step.
The m~ itnring and to~icant delivery steps employ novel housing app - ~ J ..~c The novel housing apparatuses, or station ~- ;ngs, of the subject ".._ - are ~ ed to protect and enclose the mor~ieoring devioe and to~ricant~ ;--g matri~c and, ~ , tO C ~ r~ge termitestocontacttheto~icant-n--~ .;..g~L,~.hereinthetermitesaree~.posedtolethaldoses of a slow a_ling ~icant.
One e ~ of the subject il-- linn can utilize a single station housing which can house the itnring device for use in the me ~ step and then, after removing the0 itnrlng device, can also house the tn~nt__ - e matri~ ~I~ the station housing may be ~ -ci, to sim - '~ hold both the - itnnn~ device and the to~icant-delivery device. When the ~e step employs sawdust or other (~lllllnc~ i ining material as a ~ -r ' ' of the m~ - Ig device, the sawdust can be p~- L ,g. ~d in a casing for c..,~. -nt p"~ into, and remaval from, the station housing. Pl~f~ , the material used to pac~.age 1~ the :t ~rin~ mi~ture can also be a ~f ll~ ini~ rnaterial such as paper, ~.lbo~.l, p~p - l n ~1, or the lil~e, so that it is L ~ to termites. Similarly, as ~ d above, the to~cicant and its matric can be p =- L ~ d in a casing such as a coll~l'~e~ - -g package wherein the p-- L-.L,-~e sen~es as a barrier to prevent the handler from e r G to the to~icant.
Thus, in a ~l. f~ l embodiment, the station hous~ng is ~ to remain in place j~ A- fj~.;t~ ~ to house the n~ g devioe for I g t~.. monitoring and to house the t-g matri~ when - ~ for controL Therefore, for ~ ~s of the subject il the station housing should be durable enough to contain the :t--lrin~ device or to~icant-; -g matri~ (or i ~P1iveIy devioe) in variable en~nromnents (ie., wet vs. arid), and should be a~ i in a manner, or of a ~qtPnql, that will allow target pests to pass through the housing, ie., with pre-formed entry points, or of a material in which insects can form their own o~ ;.. The sution housing should be - d~,,, '-'1~ and be non-,. pr~ to turget insects. A pl.,fe,l~ station housing is capable of l~ ted or _ - i use, is e ~ . F -I IIY
'' r ' ~~ and is an effective ba~ier between the to~icant and the handler or the .-Y..u~Qent.
It is also capable of being .- .~i and reused in another Ir '' Mqt~.ngle ~om which the sution housing can be . include, but are not limited to, poh~ such as plastic, non-.UllU~ metal such as r' or stainle s steel, wax, and non~ 1F ~ll11l~1C~_baSedt.onslc Sution h ~ which are not eaten by termites are ~l~f.,,l~ The station housing can be readily adapted for r'~ ound use, for e~ample, in trees or on structures.-A non-rigid toxicant~ .-g matrix will typically be . - ~ within another material (casing) so as to form a bait tube (also referred to herein as a to~icant-deliveIy de~ice) designed to minimize direct contact of persons l~qn~i1ing the bait tube with t~icant~..lY;..;.~g rnatri~, and tO allow termites ~llrrted from the ~ ring plu~clulc to return back to the foraging galley SUB~ JTE SHEET

~ WO 93/23998 2 1 ~ ~ 3 3 5 ` Pcr/US93,05004 for le~.uli..g other n~ tf C The bait tube should be of a size and shape that is iarge enough to contin an eîf~li~ _ amount of tosicant while still being easily handled by ia~luals. The bait tube should further be of a size aud shape that is ~ 'q to the target insec~. The various shapes of the bait tube can include, but are not limited to, c.ylilld~ ,* dis.-s, ~ e, and conee.
The bait tube may be ~ d to be placed directly in the soil or be of a shape that allows for . ompatible fit into the station housing.
In a ~ f~ ~cd ~ s ~-~t, the station housing comprises a cover which not only protects the ;tntlT~ device but also p~ . R.. . -~ sNeral other i~ ul~l functions. S~ , the cover may be d-~i g - ' so as to ~ "l~le the mi~ùe .', bu~ g the station housing. Fore~ample, the cover may a~ tQgt' 1~ be designed to c~tend out bey~nd the b~ P-`- of the main compartment of the station housing such that the nearby ground will be covered. This has the effect of shading the DU lOU - ~ soiL thus l~eeping the ;~UllU ~g soil cool and moist in warm climates or ;~ l; g for warmth in colder CiiT~qtPC These conditions have been found to increase the chances that foraging termites will contact the station housing and e ~ ~d r~ qtP.r~qIC
An ~ d coveralso helps to r :~ visual location of the stationhousing. The overmay be secured to the soil to stabilize the entire housing as well _s r~ jl;l -;u~ in the removal of the internal ~ D c used with pulling the station housing out of the soiL
To facilitate ~_.~ and removal of the - ~it~g device and t~
matm~, a ;f ~ Ir opening (al~eo referred to herein as the lid) may be p,u.;ded in the cover.
~Avqnt-qgeously, the lid may be ~L~ ~ with a tamper~ or child-l~L.~I Y ~qnicm.
I~ a pl~,f~ d embodiment, the lid will only be removable with the aid of a tool specifically adapted for the purpose of removing such lids. The tool then would be usGd to r~ f-i,.cpe of the station ~- I The station housing may be of one piece LU~h_ or of multi-piece ~11 u~ liOlL For ~ t the cover may be made as a separate piece which fits onto or over the rest of the station housing. Alt~.~h~c'~, the cover may be molded, or affised to, the rest of the station ho--cin~ Sirnilarly, the lid may be affi~ed to or ~ . ''e from the cover and the rest of the station ~- lg. One ~_b ~- - of the station housing is shown in Figure 2.
One; - i~nent of the cover is a circular or disc-shaped device having a conve~ top and concave bottom side. ' - material such as ~ i pol~, - foam may be I.ul D~
in the cover I to further stable ~ e and humidity beneath the cover. The cover may be, for e~cample, four inches or more in diameter. The bottom side of the cover can be radially ribbed or grooved. The top side can be smooth . r L ~ As ~l~v- . ;1.~ above, at the - center of the cover can be a `-Irr-- '^ opening (lid). The opening can be of ~--rri. ;f --l dimension so that the mc tg devioe or to~icant~ g matrix or bait tube can be passed Lhe~ uugh Thelidcanalsoserveasan;~ window. ln ~ iti~n, locateda~
between the center and outer edge of the cover can be small holes so that nails or similar can secure the cover to the ground.

SUBX I 11 ~JTE SHEET

WO 93/23g98 ~ ~ , ?; ~ ~' PCI/US93/0~04 The station housing may also Q~ P an; : , or e~ aL,..I devioe, which facilitatesthe remaval of the m. g device and ta~icant~ g matris (bait tube) from the station 1~ g The P ~ ... may ~ e, for e p'e, handles, strings, cords, or other implementcapable of directly puUing t_e C devioe and to~cant ~ g matris from the station 5 h- & Alt~ thepullingdevioemaybe; ' toashelfuponwhichthe. .. ;I.. ;.. g - device or bait tube sits. The pulling devioe then pulls the shelf and the ~itnring devioe or bait tube out of the station housing This erho ~ is pq- L;~ Iq nd-~qr~ta~ _ because it enables the removal of either the ing device or the to~icant~ ; g matri~ In this way anycontact with the to~icant~ -- -- - g matris can be ;7~ I~.-- - r~ the activity of termites on either the itnring devioe or the ta~icant- ~ g matris may ~ ~ly reduce or eliminate the Shu~ l integrity or rigidity of these articles, thus making them difficult to remove without the aid of an ~ which comprises a shelf C---r to puU out the materiaL A further p l~ ~age of the shelf component of the e~uactor is that it f~ remwal of any dirt or debris which may ~ ~ ' in the station housing over a period of time. This may beof p~h~ui~l . insandysoiL The~. mayalso~ ~tin~ toholdte~ the pieces of the -- itnring devioe such that the devioe is in one piece when in the station housing but is easily ~ q~ed into two or more pie es when removed from the ~
In a p.~,fi~ d embodiment of the ~, r~- termites ~ in the - it~ring step are forced to move through the tn~ir-q~t ~c ~ -g matns before exiting to return to their colony.
In this embodiment, the station housing or the t~ir~qrt dRlively devioe (bait tube), or both, are s~ ;li- ~lly adapted to force termites through the toxicant ~ -g matn~ For ~ .'e, the cashlg for the ~ g matrix may have a rigid upper portion which extends a short~-distanoe beyond the end of the toxicant-containing matri~ This rigid upper portion is '--r--- ~l~o to t~-~m1t~c The end of the casing is also ~r---- '~~ to tP~itpc~ and the Iigid upper portion of the casing, together with the end portion which is ~ ' to the rigid upper portion, form a l~lUit~..? ,h~l,~,. with the final side of the rh ? l ' being formed by the toxicant- t~ining matrnc Thus, to exit the l~Uit~ ? chamber, the tennite is forced to move through the toxicant~ ~ining matr~ Many different versions of this .~uit~ Ch- .-'~h~ could be e..~ - d, readily ~ ~, and used by a person slcilled in the art having acoe_s to the t~'' h;.-~ plU.;~dCd herein.

rollu.... g are examples wnich illnct~tP ~Jlu~du~ g the be t mode, for yl~ l; ;.-g the ~._ These; , ' should not be construed as limiting. All pe.~,enL~,~F, are by weight and all solvent mi~cture ylupOlliû~ are by volume unle s otherwi e noted.

SUB~ I 11 ~JTE SHE~T

3 ~
W0 93/23998 ~ PCI/US93/05004 T7~ lf 1--Tnt~ t~i Pest M~ Svstem for the Control of Termites __ One e~ample of ho v methods of the subject ~ can be applied to the control of t -............. ...F~n termites is as follows:
(a) Placement of the sution housin~ and m ;t~ nn~ device. A hole of 5~ -u~ F- dimension can be made in the soil for r- ~ ;. e of the sution l~- ;n& The sution housing is placed into the hole. The monitoring device is placed inside the sution housing. A
cover can be placod over the sution housing and the cover secured to the surface of the ground.
, the r~ g device can be placed inside the sution housing which is then inserted or hammered into the soil until the sution housing opening is near the soil surface.
Also, the monitoring article or station housing may be placed ~ ri7~ntslly on the ground or beneath the soil sur.face.
(b) T..~l.e~lin~ of in~ devices. The mo~ ~0-;- e device can be insrP~P~p~.;...l;.^llyfore~;d~,.~oftermite ~ byvisually ~omjni~ thedeviceforsigns of ina ~ T-~ of the ~- itnrine device can be performed weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc as need_d or desired. T-- ;p~ ~ l ;un may be done visually, or automatic monitoring devices may be used. For e~ample, termites are known to chew through soft meuL lk~.~-f --c, thin strips of metal may be i~c~ t~d into the monitoring device and connected to an ClC~,hu~_ device.
When termites chew through the thin metal, the ci~it is broken, thus evidencing the presence of termites. See Figure 4. Also, the ~ -; device may be d .i, - ~ to detect the sound ~.ud.. æd by termites as they feed on the - rin~ device.
(c) Dct~ .. of ~ of termites. Upon the ~1Pt~ of the ~1.
of termites in the ;tn-ing device, the n -r---; -E device is removed from the sution housing (or soil) and l~r d with a tn~irD~t conuining matrilc, in a ta~icant delivery device (bait tube).
Termites tbat are c~ ul~d in the itnring device can be ~ i and gently tapped into an upper chamber of the to~cicanl: delivery de~ice. This upper chamber is the l~l~n,.;~ chamber.
In order to exit, the termites must then move through the to~icant~ Djnjng matrn~ to reach the esit points. No tosicant needs to be used unless termites are detsctP~d from the ,-n ;
~J~UL_lUlG (or are ~ .~c kno vn to be present), thereby eliminating the use of any ~
tosicant. When termites are ~et~.t"A the tn~ ning matrbc is utilized until no termite activity is det~d in the to~icant delivery device. At that time, mf itnrine devices can be used again. In addition to the practice of replacing ....~ devices with tosicant delivery devices, another f- .ho-l;.--- ~1 of the .,.~ a n~ device which remains in place and a tosicant delivery device which can be added to, or fitted around, the . ~ -" ;~ device if the need arises to deliver tn~nt SUBSTITUTE SHEFT

W093/23998 21~33~ PCr/US93/0~004 ~

ni~ 2--P~ of To~sicant~ ;..i-. Matrilc The to~icant-_ ,G matn~ can L ""~ e c~ 'lnCP, ~,f~ bly in the form of a po~der or small particles, and the active ~nl of a to3~icant. CelllllncP in the form of powder allow_ for a more ~ mixture of cp~ ocs and taa~icant and f;..~ ;.trA packing and i~nriling A 1----~ C 1' can be added to the matri~ to maintain IIIV~.. UIG contenL In one P- ~l;~aent of the i..~ iol-, a M - - laD solution of about 1% to about ~% can be used e~ . M ~ D is p~li~ ,e~ because it is a non-nutrient h-- P~ -1 that does not allow i~ L,;al growth. An about 1-2% solution 1S ~,f~ ~ MO;~UIC content can be varied a~onl;n~ to the ~l~,f~,.. of ~lilf~ termite spec~es. A ~.~,f~ cd embodiment of the . ~. ntinn employs a matri~ comprising sawdust as the ~lh-lncP ~- - r t, and water ~ r ~1 to yield a moisture content of a~ 50% to about 90% by weight. A IIlU~l~ content of about 60 80% is pl.,f~.-~ Water content can be varied but should be ."~1P~ to 111UI~ y moisten the dry c- l~ of the matri~c The pl~,f,.~ of the final matm is that of a semi-solid paste ~ .~, the sawdust or wood flour can be ~ y ~ oo_~ and formed or shaped. Sawdust c~ e about 80% water was found to stimulate feeding by the native --mn~qn termites (~ "._, species) and the ~... ~.. s~htP-~nean termite, C.
r~ -Further studies have shown that sawdust from l~h. Jod species such as, for , ' e, oalc, beech, birwh, or maple is ~f~ .xl by some t~nh-C This was a ;~uly~mg result because it yl~,~;u_.h~ was widely - ' that termites y.-,f~ ,d soft wood which is easier to eat. F
may, however, militate in favor of using softer woods in some w~ . As used herein, l~ference to "sawdust" means fine wood particles which may be so fine as to be known as wood flour, and which may be l".~lu~,~A from wood by any suitable process as well as by sawing wood. Furthermore, the matri~ can be made a yl.,f~ ,d food by suitable choice of the species of timber and also suitable choice of the particle size. The esact species of termite to be e ' will indicau the optimum wood flour and the optimum particle si~e.
A y~ucelulc for the ~ r ' of the toxicant~ ;--;--g matri~ used for the to~icant delivery step is ~ ' as follows:
1. IIal~ ~h sawdust or wood flour is mD~ad with water in pluyulliO~ of - 30 a~pll ~ 80% water (w/w). Al~.~ti. I;, the water component can be a 1-2% ~
2. To~icant is Ihol~ ~Iy mi~ed into the sawdustiwater matri~c to result in a hon ~O - final-. -r-~' WhenusinO~ u~thi may be appro~nately 5000 ppm.
3. The to~icant~n -~ matri~ can be adjusted with ~1itinn~1 water or sa~dust to achieve a semi-solid r ~ k~ whi.,h can be packed into the station housing or, pl~,f.,.~l~, into a casing to form a bait tube.

SUE~ UTE SHEET

~ WO 93/23998 2 1 3 ~ 3 3 ~/:; Pcr/US93Jos004 4. The to~icant-c~ ~r :..;.~g matris can be stored in a l. o~t~tight and air-tight p=~L u ag to ntAin tlie ~.p~lu~.~Le luu.~ le content.

F ~'- 3 ~ uLLiun of Station housing In one e_b s ' - of the i.................. the station housing can c~ e a rigid tube which is pointed at one end and ~losea~ open at its op~aile end. The tube is ~lLf~,.dbl', made of a non-~ ~e~-' ~'e, durable material which is not all~LLi._ to, nor eaten by, termites. The station housing should be made of a material which resists decay or ~ ~ when e~osed to moisture, I ~pp ~ when buried ' ~u~d for a period of timG The te~cture of the station housing may be coarse. The station housing wiU typically ~ 'l" ;~e entry points which enable termites to have acoess to the mo ~ device or t~ir-"t~ g matris within. These entry points shouldnot be so large or numerous as to compromise the ~ r~ y or sll~ ~l Iut~ y of the station housing or aUow dirt or debris to readily enter the Inner chamber of the stadon housing However, the entry points should be ~ - - rr;- :- - t to provide ready access for termites to the .- - -t~ k wlthin. In one embodiment, numerous entry points on the side of the station housing can lead to inner tubes that may be bent to attach to the inner waU of the to~cicant delivery tube. In this embodiment, termites ente~ing the station housing from the soil are directed s:d~. , and into the t~--'-nt The bent inner tubes provide entry points for termites in the soiL Because they are bent - ' , the to~icant~ ;--;--e matris cannot be direc~y P ~ ~ from outside. In one embodiment, the entry points have a diameter which is larger than the head of the termite but smaUer than the width of its head and two, nt- -- ~ ~ These holes can have, for ~ . e, an inner of about û.25 cm.
A to~acant-delivery devioe ~bait tube) can be added to the station housing to a level lower than the L~ open end. This level may be, for c~ample, about 2.0 cm below the end. A
plastic insert fonning a chamber can be plaoed into the bait tube. This insert can form a le~t ~.
chamber. The h~ can have holes in the end which contact the bait tube so as to aUow termites to exit the ~. h- ~ by entering the bait tube~ The chamber may also have very small holes to r- ~ le air flow. There may be, for; , '~, six holes having an inner ~'` of about 0.25 clrL Vertical tubings ~ E from the holes of the insert can be punctured into the toxicant~ matri~ This arrangement also helps to tamper-proof the station housingbecause the toxicant~ ~ g matris cannot be r e~~,A from any external opening of the bait station. The plastic insert can have a d~ - '- cap at the end of the chamber op~osile the bait tube. The ~y-a -~'- cap is either engaged with a snap-on attachment or can be lluc ~ 'ly P~pgrAA Pl~f~,.~l~., the cap is made child-proo The closed chamber thus provides a location to plaoe termites to be used for self-l~.,,ill.. ~n~

.

WO 93/23998 2 1 3 ~ 3 3 S - PCI/US93/0~00~ ---; . .: ~

r;~ p 4--IT~ .i Station housinas for Pul~.. laliOIl Su~ ~iOll of Sl l: Termites of vertical type station hn ~ . iS difficult in some 1- with rocky soil.
MJr~._~ some termite species tend to forage near the soil surface, making it u~ C- -y to place a station as deep as that of the vertical type. Therefore, one embodiment of the subject i~. - involves the use a 1- n7n-~t~i station housing that can be placed near soil surface.
Station housin~. The station housing can be comprised of a ~ with a cut-out bottom. As an e~ample, this _- may be about 215 s 16 A~ 55 cm. Nu _.. holes can be drilled through the four vertical walls of the ~ ;--- These holes can be, for A~mpl~ about 3 mm in ~' inside and about 0.6 mm in .1; - I-, outside. This hole arrangement prevents soil invasion into the housing Inner and outer waUs can be sanded to provide a surface suitable for termites to wall~ on. A nng devioe can be made, for ~ . e, of three wooden pieoes bound ~ g with a support strip attached to a handle. The ~ device can be placed insidethe . andcan be ~c .u. ~ using an ~ :r' handlewith di~lu~ to termites (Figure 6).
~ To~cant deliverv. A _~ that fits within the station housing can be used as atoxicant delivery devioe. This ~ - may be, for e~ample, about 19.3 Xr 135 x 45 cm. E~cept for a ~ cover, numerous holes through aU sides of the container can be plu.;ded for termite ently. These holes may be, for eA~ample about 0.24 cm in ~ . Holes can e ctend inside the toxicant delivery device with inner tubes bent at about 90 to prevent ~ with the to~icant~ -- t~ -E matri~c The inner and outer walls of the to~icant delivery device can be _sanded. The to~icant delivery device can be filled with the t~xicant- - g rnatrix up to, for example, about 1 cm from the top of the ~ - -- and covered with a lid.
O~ ali~ JIUC~1WC. A station housing co-~ g wooden pieces as the .---- ;U~;..g device is plaoed beneath the ground and covered with a thin layer of soil (E~igures 9a, 9b). This thin layer of soil can be, for ~ .'e, about 1 cm. M' :t~nng devices are then checked p~ ny for termite activity. Mr ;t~rin~ devioes infested with termites are gently lifted and replaced by the toxicant delivery devioe ~ the toxicant~n~ ;..;..g matro~ (Figure 7).
Termites ~ from the boards are gently tapped into the upper 1 cm deep ~1~. of the toxicant delivery device (Figure 9d), leaving the colony l~O".-;~ semiochemicals in the to~icant-c~ E matrix to "self-recruit" - into the toxicant delivery device.
F ~ r 5 The ~lUCe1U1~ , and aPP ~ of the subject ~ can be readily adapted for use for the control of termites ~ l~ L ;~ ~Ut)~ forests, golf-courses, and other non-~llu~.lu~al targets. The same general rnqt~n~lC and methods may be utilized with minor ~ s, readily app~.,~ to those skilled in the art, to achieve optimal results.

SU8~ 1 11 UTE SHEET

1 3 3 ~-W 0 93/23998 PC~r/US93/05004 F~mple 6--Ab~ve-Ground ~In~ J. i..~ and Toxicant Delivery In urban areas where the soil which su,,~ 1c a structure iv often paved with cement, or asphalt, or some like 1, the p" ~ of the --n~ e and/or to~icant delivery devicein or on the ground may not be p~cti~l Termite however, is no less of a problem in these urban areas. T~ ~fure, an alternative app1 --~ - - and design of the d~ ,(Ji ,.,._ ~n~
comprises a itnring and/or to~icant delivery station which can be used in an abo.
system. Such a system is also of value anytime that an ~b ._ ~ound i--f ~ I;n is ol~.,~
An -b~ ' design is i~ t~--t~i in Figure 5. This a~ .,nd system can - a station housing which is placed or ~ in or on the wall of a vl._ G The station housing can c~ e a frame which is designed to simultaneously St snugly against the wall and a wooden door frame, a ---' ne, or the 1l1~G In one embodiment, the station housing can enclose a to~icant ~ g matri~ as ~i -- il ~i above, wherein the lu~C~I-E matri~ can be p~- L-~g;-i in various shapes and sizes, for ~ e~ a rc~ r bo1c shape, to f~ t~t.o, their use wlth the a~._ ~ound system housing. The a~ stationhousing can be ~.-b~ lly open at the side which faces or is - d against the walL The side of the station housing facing outward is r~ open, wherein a hinged lid or a separate lid can be placed over the opening. The lid serves to prevent ~vUlG to ~ t~ by petsons ~g the station housing. The lid can further comprise a locl~ing means to preventinadvertent ~c by children or others. The cover can also serve to prevent moisture loss from the to~icant-containing matrL~ Moisture loss can also be ~lc . - ~ by the p -L ~yng of the tn~ nt, wherein it is prl ~ -'- to package the to~icant~ ng matr~ in a casing which is edible by terr.-it,c Such casingC- can be ~,a ~ oa~ pàp~,~bO&d~ paper, and the lil~e as f~f-.~
above. A p-. ~ - _gtfri--l for p~. L.~ the toxicant-L g matris Lc wa~-paper due to its G-~ j~g, h_"~" ~,, ;~1;, ~
After a station housing is attached to a walL fence, tree stump, tree trunk, or other sh I member, contact with the termite galleries can be ~ gt~ by drilling a hole through the ~h U~IUlal member into the gallery area. Initially, a cPIl~ e .--~ g device may be placcd in the h~ cin~. If termites are ~et~--t~ the it.- nng device can be ~ ~d with a toxicant-G matri~ and cnll~t~ termites used for ~ In case of l~no~m termite activity, a t ~i~-r~ delivery devioe may be placed in the station housing without the p" f--.-- -~I of a - :tnrir~g device.
In one __~3' t~ cement or asphalt can eLf~ act as a station hou_ing. For ~-mrl~, a hole may be drilled into cement, either inside or outside a sh ~._l ul e, to gain access to the soil below. The t" device may then be placed into the drilled hole such that the device maL-es contact with soil. The device may then be mo~ lu~f~l and r~la~d with a toxicant-.~.--l~ ;..;..g matrix, ~lefe~abl~ within â casing, if ter nite acdvity is 01:3_.~_d. Of course, a stadon housing may also be used in this instance by ..~ h~g the stadon housing into the hole drilled in SU8~ 1 1 1 UTE SHEET

2~3433S
WO 93/23998 PCI~/US93/05004 ~ ., c~ 24 the oement. When the oement hole is used as the station r- g, a rubber stopper or ~ ' _ devioe can seIve as the top, or cover/lid.
A~.~ J m~ e and to~icant del}very schemes can also be widely adapted for use in trees.

F~mple 7 Dyes may be in.l~la~d into the matri~ to assist the ~ppl - ~t ~. in ;~ termite colonies and foraging range of termites feeding on a ~ nne article or to~cant bait.
~p~ e dyes include, but are not limited to, Nile Blue A and Sudan Red 7B. A 1~ r ~
study showed that termites ~ l ' bait matm; -i~ 0.01~.05% Nile Blue A, and were - visibly stained after feeding on the dyed materiaL

F~mple 8--Field Testin~ Usin~ Matri~ ;.-;.-P II~Qu,lluron 1. P.~l~. Field colonies of the r~ -, termite, C ~c" r, and the eastern: : ~ ~ ~ termite, R fl~pes, were selected for testing. Termite activily was 2 years before the : of a ~ treated matri~ Mr ; nn~ stal~ions contained pre-weighed wood blocks ~ by plastic c~ntainers buried beneath the soil surface. Wood weight loss of a bloclc was dete~mined monthly or bi-monthly to represent acth~ty of the s~ ~ ~ termite colony being tested. A multdple marlc-lc~ program was conducted to estimate the foraging ~Vr ~ n size and foraging ~~ of each tested colony.
A mark-~ ~e program refers to a l- ~1 c wherein a known number of termites are mar~ed using a dye marl~er such as Nile Blue A and then released bacl~ to the colony. A weel~ later, termites are l~ ~ from the same colony and the ratio of marl~ed and unmarked termites are l~Uldeli ~' ming the initially marlced termites are ~ ' homogeneously among colony P-r ' ~inn, the total Pr - is ~ ~ ~ i using the number of initia11y mslr~ed termites and the ratio of marked and !"'-- ~ termites (Begon, M. [1979] r---; ~ v anlrnal ~
capulrc-.~L~A.,c for ~ ~ V ', Um._~:ity Parlc Press, R~l~;. nfe~ MD). Termite activLy was monitored throughout the t~icant deliveIy ~lU,,.~ When ~ - 'D, another _ark-r~-u.c program was; ~ to estimate the post-to~icant delive~y population of a colony.
2. To~icant~- ~t ~ r matri~ Pine or spruce sawdust was impregnated with an acetone solution of 1~ fh----...~ to yield --- - of 50~5,000 ppm (dry wt Al/dly wt saw~ust) upon e~_~ of acetone. The; ~.~ ing matn~ was composed of 20% treated sawdust and 8'0% of agar or Methocel~ solution (2%). A station housing was composed of a plastic tubing (2.9 cm diam. I.D. by 165 cm high, one end closed, the other open) filled with ~pl~ tl'.l~ 80 g of tn~ e matr~ This leaves a~)~.lu~ately 5 cm height of open space on the open end of the tubing. Six layers of 9 holes (0.238 mm fl;5- .- -- 1-, ) were pre-drilled in the side of the tubing ~U~ UTE SHEET

~ ~ 3433S
Og3/23998 PCI`/US93~05004 3. M~:~ ;t. ~-; "& Wooden stakes (3.4 cm by 3.4 an by 30 cm) were drn~en 20-25 cm into the ground. Once infested by termites, the wooden st ke was gently pulled out of the soil, leaving a hole of ca 3.4 cm by 3A cm and 20-25 cm deep. A station housing was inserted into the hole.
- Termites were extracted from the infested stakes and placed into the open spaoe (5 cm high by 2.9 cm diameter) on the open end of the to~cicant bait station. The e~acted tPrmites were foroed to tunnel through the tancant-containing matris to return to the colony, and to recruit nestmates into the station ~ lg To compare the efficacy of self-,~b_g procedure in; Ig the toq~icant intake, this self-.~ui~ t"o~dm~ wss omitted in some station housings. Station housings were checJ~ed monthly. The amount of matric consumed by termites from each station was ~e d to the ana~sis of ~ - using a complete}y randomized design (P c 0.05) to detennine the significant dif~erenoe in matri~ consumption between stations with the self-r~th g ~ and those without.
Results:
F~nment 1. The foraging ~ ~r ' of this R .~es colony was estimated at 476,000 in September. Infestations by this colony were found in the door and door-frame of a nearby building~ Wood weight loss from the three ;tnrjng devices was lp~ '~ 2 ~ sy during the summer. The activity declined during the winter to apprmimately 0.5 ,, ~ qy Three bait tubes were ~ ~ in F~ . By ApriL no te~mite activity was found in any of the station ~ ~{ s A total of 26 g of to~icant ~ :~ matri~ was consumed by this termite colony. The amount of acthe ingredient (Al) consumed was 3.87 mg. Because of the absence of termite activity after April, it was concluded that the entire colony of over 400,aoo termites w~s eliminated by the _ . of 3.87 mg he~aflumuron within two months.
~ æ The foraging ~ -r ~ of this R J~es colonyw..s estimated at 730,000 in S~ ' This colony was located in a non~ area. Termite i~ ~ were foundin trees and fallen logs of pine and o. ks. From Sap~ through the ~ " .. ~g spring, wood weight loss from the si~ mo~ e devices was appra~imately 2 ~ - ' ql lqy. Starting in April, eleven station ~ were used to deliver t~icanti ining matri~ In June, termites m ~ ' the activity level of 1.8 ~ Dy. By July, ~ .. _, the act~vity was reduced to 0 . During the three months (April-June) baiting period, a total of 122 g lu,._l containing matri~ and 20 mg Al was consumed. No termite activity was lC~,Ul~d in this location after July. We conclude the 730,000 termites were eliminated by consuming 20 mg of he~aflumuron.
El~periment 3. SL _ l~l infestation of this R flav~ colony persisted in a two-story building (,.pp.~ rS m2) for at least 3 years. ~2~irlP ~ annual spring swarming3~ from the ~l~u~,lule for five ~ ~ v~ years. Soil ~r - --;,;- ~le treatments had been done by a pest control firm annually since the erection of the building in 1986. Despite the soil termiticide treatments, the fi~Pd~ Pr ' t- of this R flm~ was estimated at 2,847,000 in May.

SU~ ITE SHEI~T

21~'1335 WO 93~23998 ~ PCI`/US93/0~004 r~g t~.,itu.~ was ~pf~ t~ 1,782 m2. Mean wood weight loss from the 13 station l- g~ with mr itnrin~ devices ranged^2~ ~t~ tin~ y Follu .. g the ~~ ~ ~ ~ of ta~icant-delivery devices at 27 stations in August, ~he actnrity was reduoed to 0.1 ~, lin-~Dy in September. Termites, ~ , remaine~ active in stations in October and November. ByDe~ h- -, no termite activity was detec~ed from any of the stations. Dunng the four month t~icant-delivery period (August-December), a total of 2,997 g tc~icant ~ matri~ and r 1,539 mg Al was consumed by this R ~cs colony~ ~ of the building ~G~l~d that this was the first time wlthin the last fivc years that they did not see the termites s. 3 No soil - treatment was done the rullù..~g year. In March of the ÇoL~..~ year, termites were ~11~ in one of the U dcvices. Because no dyGd termites were found from this oe " we ~l-e~ ~1 that a nearby colony might have migrated into the t~ of the baited colony. Amar~-lc ar.1 ~--G program ~ ~ in March-April estimated 260,000 foraging termites in this new colony. ~ ming this is the ~ e of the onginal colony, the tf~ 'D~`t d~ very ,. c - ~' in August-n- had eliminated over æs ~;on tP.r~jtP~^
r, A rOl ~gactivityofthis Cru~ colonyhas beenm~ ~,d inan 11-story high rise. ~ ~ soil '~ t~ were done to prevent ~h_ ~ - by this C r~ colony. r~ ~g P~r was estimated at 1,047,000 in ~ - The foraging t~ itul~ to 1,614 m2. Mean wood weight 105S was 2-4 v~ /d ,. Fù~ ac~vity typically ~P^-Iir~d in winter but often pealced dunng summ~r months (5-10 O~ AY). Five to~icant4elivery devices were : ~d in ApriL The foraging activitywas reduoed to less than 2 O~ lqy, and remained at the same low level until Ortob~.
By ~_ . ' , no termites were found in the stations, but slight feeding ac~vity was 01~5~ d in a few stations until F~l~. During the I ~.~PI-very program (April r~ ), 847 g oftn~ir~ ;..e matr~ and 233 mg Al were: ~ by this C fi." colony. We 1 -I '-' the colony of 1.0 million termites was Pl;---;---t.d after _ mine 233 mg of '' ~ over a l~month period.
F~riment 5. Despite ,c~ od soil t~ f- treatments and a r ---;g. ~ ^ following the di~._ ~ of sll r,.1 ~,~ by this Gr~" colony in a hiBh rise, foraging activity 1~ - i strong (mean wood weight loss: ~10 O~ y). Act~vity of this colony did not decline even in winter months. R)l.. ~;~g ~y ~ was, ~ at 2,431,000 in March. Over 90% of the to~icant ~ e matri~ of statiorAls ~L~ in May WâS eoAr~sumed within a month rul..~g activity in May-July WâS slightly reduced (5 ~ o~3 ~y). S~ hs~ , the mean wood weight loss wâS further reduoed to near zero in July-OrtobP . After N~. , no termile activity has been l~l~ in any of the stations. During the ~month to~icant-delive~y period (May-~ .bel), a total of 89 station h~ . with toxicant-delivery devices were used.
We c~ d that the colony of æ4 million termites wâS . ' ' by the conswnption of 742 mg' '' SUBSTITUTE SHEET

3 ~
W093/23998 PCI~/US93/05004 r~ r -nt 6. T r~ ~ by this C rC~ ~ colony were found in the utility room of a high rise. rul- ~g activity was A~Pt~9q along the front yard of this building. The foraging Ic~litul~ e~ctended up to 185 m from one end to the other. This C ru, colony consumed wood at a rate of appra~imateb 5-10 L' ~ qy from 10 stations The L~ e ~ -r Iqtir)n was S estimated at 1,2~,~) in ~priL Following the introduction of t~r-qnt ~lPl~very devioes in July, Çul.~ activities steadily AAdined to ne. r zero in OctobP-r- After Oc~obPr, slight termite ac~vity (CI ~,' t- pqy) remained in one station. Using terrnites !.~l1P- ~ from this station, we conducted a mark-l~tu.G program in M~rch and estimated 104,000 termites in the remaining colony. A tot. l of 42 stations were used during the 5-month t~ro-~t deli~. ~, period (July-December), from which 1,1æ g of t~rqr~ cnntaining matn~ and 259 g Al were consumed. We concluded the 259 mg of he~aflumuron reduoed the population size of this colony from 1.2 million termites in April to 104,0a0 the rullu mg Mar~

E~mple 9--E~cts of the Self-R~i..g ~lu~n.e on To~dcant B. it C~
Significantly more (P < 0.05) t~rqr~ q-ining m. tm w. s co~sumed from station 1- Q;nS~; that .~;~sd termites ~ t~l from the mo~itoring devices ~referred to as "self-,.~t~,d b. it stations) than stations that were simply plaoed in the holes from which infested devioes were pulled ("not self-fcw~ - "' bait stations). In one G~penment, the mean weight of ~q;-1~ matri~ consumed by G f~ from self-recruited stations w.,s 35.8 ~/station while those of not self-l~t~d st. tions ws 6.5 L~' With R fl~. the mean ~weight of; -' t~-t; i-;~ matri~ was 39.2 and 17.2 ~k - - for self-r~ -i stations and not self-l~t l ~
When more than 1% of the t~icant-containing matn~ w. s consumed from a station e. thestation was ~ - r~l r ' ' by termites. Using this criteria, 83% of self-~t Yi stations were, - ~ -hP~ by c r~n - while only 593% of not self-,~t~,d stations were ~attacked. With R fl~, the attack rate for self-r~ ~t~ stations was 94.7%, while 75% of the not self-l~t~,d stations werc attacked.

It should be ~ od that thc e~amples and em~_'- nP-~ ~l herein are for ill~ t~-t;~ ra3~ only and that various - - or changes in light thereof will be ~, ' to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and punriew of this Yr' and the scope of the y~ - d claims.

~UBs I I ~ UTE SHEET

Claims (26)

Claims

1. A method for the reduction or elimination of a population of isopteran insects, said method comprising:
(a) monitoring of a site for isopteran activiy, wherein said monitoring comprises periodic observation of a cellulose monitoring device for evidence of isopteran activity, wherein said cellulose monitoring device is enclosed in a durable station housing;
(b) reducing or eliminating the population of said isopterans through the use of a toxicant-containing matrix, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix is in a durable station housing; and (c) renewed monitoring of the site for isopteran activity using a cellulose monitoring device in a durable station housing.

2. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix comprises cellulose and a toxicant.

3. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix comprises a solution of Methocel?.

4. The method, according to claim 1, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix comprises a toxicant selected from the group consisting of encapsulated toxicants, slow-acting chemical toxicants, and biological control agents.

5. A method for protecting structures or agricultural areas from termite damage by using a pest management system that comprises:
(a) the use of a durable station housing that can be used interchangeably for the detection of termites and for the introduction of a toxicant-containing matrix;
(b) the use of a cellulose monitoring device placed within said station housing,wherein said monitoring device is periodically observed for evidence of termite activity;
(c) the use of a toxicant-containing matrix to reduce or eliminate the termite population subsequent to finding evidence of termite activity; and (d) renewed monitoring of the site for termite activity once evidence of termite activity ceases.

6. The method, according to claim 5, wherein said station housing is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum

7. A method for reducing or eliminating a population of isopteran insects living in a nest or colony, said method comprising:
(a) capturing an isopteran alive; and (b) using said captured isopteran in a self-recruitment process by exposing saidcaptured isopteran to a toxicant-containing matrix in such a manner so that saidisopteran is forced to move through said toxicant-containing matrix and wherein said isopteran is capable of returning to said nest or colony before said isopteran dies so as to facilitate communication, to other of said isopterans, of the location of said toxicant.

8. The method, according to claim 7, wherein a cellulose monitoring device is used to capture said isopteran and wherein said toxicant is incorporated into a toxicant-containing matrix wherein said toxicant-containing matrix further comprises a cellulose material.

9. A method for increasing the attractiveness to insects of a toxicant-containing matrix, said method comprising:
(a) capturing an insect alive; and (b) exposing said captured termite to a toxicant-containing matrix in such a manner that said insect is induced to move through the toxicant-containing matrix before returning to its colony, thus imprinting the toxicant-containing matrix with thecolony's own unique chemical recognition system.

10. An isopteran monitoring device, wherein said monitoring device comprises at least two separable, interfacing pieces; which pieces remain in contact when said device is deployed during monitoring, but which pieces are easily separable to remove isopterans without injuring said isopterans.

11. A composition for the control of an insect living in a colony, said composition consisting essentially of a cellulose material in association with a toxicant and wherein said composition has been made more attractive as a food source for said insect by inducing a live insect from said colony to move through said composition before exiting to return to said colony.

12. The composition, according to claim 11, wherein said cellulose material comprises sawdust, wood flour, or wood particles from a hardwood tree.

13. A casing for holding a toxicant-containing matrix, wherein said casing has entry points for an isopteran pest or is made of a material into which an isopteran can form an opening.

14. The casing, according to claim 13, wherein said casing forms, at one end, a recruiters' chamber wherein said recruiters' chamber is formed of material impenetrable to termites and wherein said recruiters' chamber has a closeably open end to facilitate placement of live termites and wherein the chamber is positioned so as to induce said live termites to tunnel through said toxicant-containing matrix in order to exit said recruiters' chamber.

15. A station housing for enclosing either a cellulose device for monitoring isopteran activity or a toxicant-containing matrix for delivery of toxicant to an isopteran, said housing being formed from a durable, essentially non-biodegradable material comprising entry points for said isopterans.

16. The station housing, according to claim 15, which further comprises a cover which extends beyond the edges of said housing.

17. The station housing, according to claim 16, wherein said cover comprises a lid which can be opened to facilitate placement and removal of said monitoring device and said toxicant-containing matrix.

18. The station housing, according to claim 17, wherein said lid comprises an engagement mechanism which makes the lid difficult for children to open or which requires a tool to open wherein said tool is specifically adapted for opening said lid.

19. The station housing, according to claim 15, which comprises an extractor which facilitates the placement or removal of said monitoring device or said toxicant-containing matrix, into or out of said housing.

20. A kit comprising a station housing for enclosing a cellulose device for monitoring isopteran activity or a toxicant-containing matrix for delivery of toxicant to an isopteran; said kit further comprising one or more of the group consisting of (a) a cellulose device for monitoring isopteran activity; and (b) a toxicant-containing matrix.

21. A method for reducing or eliminating a population of termites in a tree or a structure wherein said method comprises placing a toxicant-containing matrix in or on said structure or tree.

22. The method, according to claim 21, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix is enclosed within a durable station housing.

23. The method, according to claim 21, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix is placed in a hole formed in pavement, in the floor of a building, or in a tree.

24. The method, according to claim 21, wherein said toxicant-containing matrix is made more attractive to termites by use of self-recruitment.

25. A cellulose device for monitoring termite activity, wherein said device further comprises a dye wherein said dye is useful for tracking the movement of termites which feed on said cellulose device.

26. A method for reducing or eliminating a population of isopteran insects, wherein said method comprises:
(a) monitoring a site for isopteran activity by placing a monitoring device in a location accessible to said isopterans;
(b) upon observing evidence of isopteran activity, replacing said monitoring device with a toxicant-containing matrix until a suitable reduction of isopteran activity is observed; and (c) resumption of monitoring of said site for isopteran activity using a monitoring device.